Journey Through Prehistory: Exploring the Different Periods of Our Ancient Past

Journey Through Prehistory: Exploring the Different Periods of Our Ancient Past
1 / 23
next
Slide 1: Slide
Social Studies6-8 Grade

This lesson contains 23 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 1 video.

Items in this lesson

Journey Through Prehistory: Exploring the Different Periods of Our Ancient Past

Slide 1 - Slide

This item has no instructions

Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the different periods of the prehistoric era.

Slide 2 - Slide

Introduce the learning objective and explain how it will be achieved through the course of the lesson.
What do you already know
about prehistoric era?

Slide 3 - Mind map

This item has no instructions

What is Prehistory?
Prehistory is the period of human history that occurred before the advent of written records. It covers more than 99% of the human experience on Earth.

Slide 4 - Slide

Explain what prehistory is and why it is important. Discuss the limitations of studying prehistory due to the lack of written records.
The Stone Age
The Stone Age is the first and longest period of prehistory, lasting from around 3.4 million years ago until 3300 BCE. It is divided into three parts: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.

Slide 5 - Slide

Introduce the Stone Age and its three subdivisions. Discuss the major characteristics of each subdivision.
The Paleolithic Period
The Paleolithic period, also known as the Old Stone Age, lasted from around 3.4 million years ago to about 10,000 BCE. It is characterized by the use of stone tools and the development of early human societies.

Slide 6 - Slide

Discuss the major developments and innovations of the Paleolithic period. Explain how early humans adapted to their environment.
The Mesolithic Period
The Mesolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age, lasted from about 10,000 BCE to 8000 BCE. It is characterized by the development of more advanced stone tools and the beginning of agriculture.

Slide 7 - Slide

Discuss the major developments and innovations of the Mesolithic period. Explain how early humans transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled lifestyle.
The Neolithic Period
The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, lasted from about 8000 BCE until the advent of written records. It is characterized by the development of agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the rise of civilizations.

Slide 8 - Slide

Discuss the major developments and innovations of the Neolithic period. Explain how early humans transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled and organized civilization.
The Bronze Age
The Bronze Age followed the Stone Age and lasted from around 3300 BCE to 1200 BCE. It is characterized by the use of bronze tools and weapons and the development of early writing systems.

Slide 9 - Slide

Introduce the Bronze Age and its major characteristics.
The Iron Age
The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age and lasted from around 1200 BCE to the advent of written records. It is characterized by the use of iron tools and the rise of empires.

Slide 10 - Slide

Introduce the Iron Age and its major characteristics.
0

Slide 11 - Video

This item has no instructions

Quiz Time!
It's time to test your knowledge! You will be presented with 7 multiple choice questions and 3 open-ended questions to show what you've learned about the prehistoric era.

Slide 12 - Slide

Explain the format of the quiz and give instructions for students to complete it. Encourage them to use their notes and ask questions if they need clarification.
What was the major innovation of the Paleolithic period?
A
Agriculture
B
Development of stone tools
C
Discovery of fire
D
Invention of the wheel

Slide 13 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What is the name of the third period of prehistory?
A
Neolithic
B
Mesolithic
C
Bronze Age
D
Paleolithic

Slide 14 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What is the name of the second period of prehistory?
A
Bronze Age
B
Mesolithic
C
Neolithic
D
Paleolithic

Slide 15 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What is the name of the first period of prehistory?
A
Bronze Age
B
Neolithic
C
Mesolithic
D
Paleolithic

Slide 16 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

Which period of prehistory is the longest?
A
Bronze Age
B
Neolithic
C
Mesolithic
D
Paleolithic

Slide 17 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

Which period saw the development of microliths for hunting tools?
A
Mesolithic period
B
Neolithic period
C
Bronze Age
D
Paleolithic period

Slide 18 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What was the major innovation of the Neolithic period?
A
Development of agriculture and domestication of plants and animals
B
Discovery of electricity
C
Invention of the printing press
D
Development of the steam engine

Slide 19 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What was the major innovation of the Mesolithic period?
A
Development of irrigation systems
B
Invention of the wheel
C
Development of microliths for hunting tools
D
Discovery of fire

Slide 20 - Quiz

This item has no instructions

What is one limitation of studying prehistory?

Slide 21 - Open question

This item has no instructions

Write down 1 thing you learned in this lesson.

Slide 22 - Open question

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

Slide 23 - Open question

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.